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Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members Urge DHS to Adhere to New Interim Enforcement Priorities and Ensure Due Process Protections

February 10, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On January 20, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum setting forth interim enforcement priorities that went into effect on February 1, 2021. Today, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas urging DHS to suspend deportations for individuals that may not have been afforded due process and to ensure those individuals receive a full opportunity to have their claims heard. The letter also urges DHS to adhere to interim enforcement priorities until revised priorities are developed and implemented.

"We are eager to work to restore professionalism and humanity in our immigration system," the Members wrote. "In the last few days before your confirmation, we received reports there was an uptick in deportations and we were alarmed to hear that some individuals may not have been afforded due process prior to their planned deportations. We urge you to immediately suspend efforts to deport these individuals and ensure that they receive a full opportunity to have their claims for relief heard."

The letter was signed by the following Members of Congress: Raul Ruiz, M.D., Nanette Diaz Barragán, Tony Cárdenas, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Ruben Gallego, Jesús G. "Chuy" García, Sylvia R. Garcia, Raúl Grijalva, Grace F. Napolitano, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Linda T. Sánchez, Norma J. Torres, Juan Vargas, and Nydia M. Velázquez.

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary Mayorkas:

We are eager to work to restore professionalism and humanity in our immigration system. In the last few days before your confirmation, we received reports there was an uptick in deportations and we were alarmed to hear that some individuals may not have been afforded due process prior to their planned deportations. We urge you to immediately suspend efforts to deport these individuals and ensure that they receive a full opportunity to have their claims for relief heard.

On January 20, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum setting forth interim enforcement priorities, pending a full review of Department policies and practices on immigration enforcement. The interim enforcement priorities went into effect on February 1, 2021. Those priorities include individuals who (1) present a threat to national security; (2) were apprehended while attempting to enter without inspection after November 1, 2020 or who were not physically present in the United States on November 1; or (3) were convicted of an aggravated felony and present a threat to public safety.

We understand that a recent court ruling has blocked the "Immediate 100-Day Pause on Removals" articulated in section C of that memorandum. Therefore, to the extent that the Department is proceeding with current and future planned removal of individuals, we urge you to adhere to these interim enforcement priorities until revised priorities are developed and implemented.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.